Scale signal light device



July 30, 1935. c, E cams-r 2,099,393

SCALE SIGNAL LIGHT DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet lIN'VENTOR.

M 3Q, 1935. c, E, Gm; 2,00%693 SCALE SIGNAL LIGHT DEVICE Filed Nov. 18,1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mr/ ATTORNEY.

July 30, 1935. c GRIST 2,009,691

SCALE SIGNAL LIGHT DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

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Patented July 39, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SCALE SIGNAL LIGHTDEVICE Clinton E. Grist, Detroit, Mich.

Application November 18, 1933, Serial No. 698,617

4 Claims. (Cl. 177-311) The object of my invention is to produceautomatic electric signal means for indicating the weighing positions ofa scale beam during any weighing operation, and without observing thebeam reading.

Another object is to provide an electric signal device that may beadapted to all types of weighing units or indicators, and will producedifferent electric signals for each different scale beam position as thescale beam fluctuates under the varying loading conditions. A furtherobject is to produce a scale signal device that will render both visibleand audible signals for overweight or underweight positions, and withouteiiecting the scale operations.

A still further object is to produce an automatic electric scale signaldevice that is sim-.

ple in construction, easily installed on any scale, operatingeiiiciently therewith and that can be manufactured at a very low cost.

These several objects are attained in the preferred form by theconstruction and arrangement of parts more fully hereinafter set forth.

Similar parts on all drawings are marked by similar numerals or letters.

Fig. 1 is a side view of the electric contactor unit showing the generalarrangement of the operating parts.

Fig. 2 is a sectional or front View of the same unit taken on the line2-2 oi the Fig. 1, with the contact arms cut away, showing the relativeposition of the terminal and terminal contact members and theintervening circuit connections.

Fig. 3 is a back view of the same unit taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1showing the terminal circuit wire connections.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of the Fig. 2showing the metal contact bar connecting the center terminals together.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of contact arm terminal insulation,and means for balancing the pivoted arm members.

Fig. 6 illustrates a further modified form of arm terminal insulation bycylindrical thimble sections.

Fig. 7 illustrates the assembled signal device together with the lightand bell signal units, as

may be mounted on the ordinary beam scale.

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of my device and connected electric signals,for connecting same,

, operativcly with the scale unit, and operated .thereby. Fig. 9illustrates my scale signal light device applied to a weightograph, orsensitive weight registering unit, and means for operating sametherewith.

Fig. 10 is a side view of an alternate form of contactor unit shown inFig. 1, adapting spring 5 arm terminals.

Fig. 11 is a side view of a further alternate form of the same unit,utilizing spring terminals attached to the base, operative by theirrespective terminal arms. 10

Fig. 12 is also a side view of a modified form of terminal arm, showingstraight contact arms pivoted to the base instead of the L-shaped armsused in Figs. 1 and 2.

While I have illustrated my invention herein 15 as applied to the beamtype of scale, it is to be understood that it includes herewith variousmodifications in both form and arrangement as may be required to adoptthe signal device to the different types and kinds of scale and weightreg- 2Q istering units.

In general, my invention comprises a multiple electric contactor unitfixedly installed within a suitable casing member, together with variouselectric signal units and electric transformer, 5 all electricallyconnected, the casing being suitable for mounting on the scale or weightindicator unit frame, and with the contactor unit operatively connectedwith some of the scale moving parts, the said electric contactor 30 unitcomprising a vertically positioned base block of some suitableinsulating material and having separated hinged contact arms mountedthereon in vertical positions, one above the other, each arm beingconnected in a sepa- 35 rate electric light or bell circuit, either ofwhich may be closed by a slight displacement of an intervening operatingplate positioned therebetween. Each of said contact arms is providedwith an interiorly positioned insulated electric 40 terminal which mayform an electric contact with a common terminal unit mounted on the baseblock, for closing a third signal circuit when the contact arms are notdisplaced, thus providing separate signals, either visible or audiblefor all 45 of the scale beam positions.

I will now describe more fully the detailed construction of my device,referring to the drawings and the marks thereon, the preferred formbeing Figs. 1, 2, and 3. 50

The multiple contactor unit A is made of a vertically positioned baseblock I of some suitable insulating material, such as fiber board, orsimilar materials, and carries mounted thereon two L-shaped contact arms2 and 3 hingedly mounted 5 arm 2 preferably being elongated and curved Vdownward as illustrated in the Fig. 1 of the operating plate H3 isattached to a vertically po out any spring member.

drawings, bringing the arm terminals 8 and 9 closely together, althoughsufficiently separated for inserting an intervening metal operatingplate H1 theiiebetweem'and without forming a contactwith"either' armterminal. The contact sitioned operating rod 23 which is connectedpivotally with the movable scale beam 2 1 and grounded in the electriccircuit connected there-. with, said operating rod being provided with'a' dash pot disc 25 attachedto the lower end The elongated curved upperarm 2 is.

thereof. especially adapted for an extended displacement yv herethescale movement is great as in the wightograph orslike weightregistering units.

Both of t he contact arms 2 and 3 are movable in the same verticalplane, andare provided with -interiorly 5 positioned terminal arms a andb, eachbtsaidarms being provided with an insulator, block c fixedlyattached to the under side'threoi, andeach carry a contact bar (Z'fixedly'mounted on said insulator bars completely insulated from thesupporting terminal armsc and 1). Electric circuit terminal posts it and"I2 are"fixedly mounted on the base block i adjaeenteaeh of the hingeposts 4 and '5, and are providdwith flexible circuit wires it and Mconnecting said terminal posts to the contact bars 'clfoftherespectiveterminal arms a and b. Also within the'base block 5, directly beneatheach of the'twocontact bars dare mounted adjusting contact screws l5 andi6, rigidly held in position by the 'locli'nuts ifi, and is providedwith a metal contact"bar 2!) connecting the contact adjusting screwstogether, forming a common centralter- 'iiii'ria'lffor both contact armmembers. The adjusting screws B5 and i6 may be adjustedso as 'to'po''tionthe" arm terminals 8 and 9 adjacent "t'hehpe r'ating plate It! onopposite sides thereof, butwithout forming contact therewith, and whensdadjusteda continuous closed electric circuit lsp'rovidedbetween theterminal posts it and t2" and their connected circuit wires, but whichcircuit is br'olien' by "any slight displacement of eitherof'the'contact arms 2 orB. A light tensi on springltlj mounted preferably onthe base 'ilie'inbenandengaging the lower contact arm 3 f 'orretainihgsame in its closed position when otherwisedisengag'ed. The weight of theupper armzfwhen installed in its vertical position is sufficient folretaining its closed position with- However, if the unit s'hould'beinstalled in a horizontal position a similar" light'spring member wouldbe required. Fig. ,I'of the drawings illustrates the operating plate 10'asfi'xe'dly'mounted on the operating rod 23, hutif ahmor'esensitive'adjustment is desired, a hingedly'm'ounted plate it may bepivotally atta'chd to the'operat'ing rod 23 as indicated in the Fig. '7of the drawings, also the contact arms i'n'aybe provided with a weightbalance member was indicated'in Fig. 5. TheFig. 5 illustrates a modified"form "of insulating the terminal (21, where the terminal arm I) is madeof insulating material and fixedly attached direct to the contact arm.Fig. 6 illustrates another modification ofinsulating" the terminaltl,having a thimble 0" forcedover the arm end bi" and a metal it'h'er'eof.iw-ithin the casing when the electric current source ,is of highvoltage, although said transformer 'justing screws l5 and 16.

upon the type and kind of scale or weight indicator with which it is tobe used. The casing 22 isprovided with different colored electric signallights B, (hand- D, preferably red-,fgreen and amber respectively,although any desired colors now be used therein, also electric wireterminal "buttons E, all mounted within the casing walls.

'A'cylindiiGaIdaSh pot F is provided therein, positioned at one end ofthe casing near the bottom A transformer 53 is fixedly mounted is notrequired if the signal device is operated direct from a battery alone.Near one end of the casing22, alcove and adjacent the dashpot F, ismounted the assembled electric contactor unit 'A, fixedly attachedto thecasing wall l-by screws or otherwise, and with the operating rod aremade with the surfaces of the operating plate it as heretoforespecified, and in the normal balanced position of the scale beam 24, theoperating contact plate Ill is free from both arm terminals 8 and 9, andthe arm terminals dare closed on their center terminal through the adhThe electric circuit wires 25, 26, '27 and 28 are connected to-thedifferent terminal posts as indicated in the Fig. 3 of the drawings, andthe separatedcircuitsleading' therethrough to the several signal lightsB, (land I) of the casing 22 andthe-corresponding lights B, C and D of;the light casing'H,-also the signal bell K, the main circuit wire 50being grounded through the scale beam 24-and connected operating rod: 23through a connected opening switch G preferably connected to-andoperated'with the toggle bar'3l ofthe scale beam, all'as indicated inthe Wiringdiag-ram shown in Fig 8 of the drawings. The signals andraiseat the outer end thereof and lowering the :cale weight-32,the-reverse movement of -the contact plate I!) takes place andengages-and displaces the cont-actarm 2, disconnecting'the bell andamber light as in the former case;xand

connecting the circuit-throughrthe' arm. band connected circuit wire 28leading to the green lights C and C. a

My scale signal light device may be installed in any weight indicatingunit, such as the weightograph now, commonly sold on the market, or anyother type of unit adapted for attaching the operating contact plate tosome movable oper ating member mounted therein, as illustrated in Fig. 9of the drawings, and the operation is the same as heretofore described.In all cases the separated light casing unit H and the electric bell Kmay be installed in any location desired, independent of the scale orcasing positions, the connecting electric wires being extendedaccordingly.

The Figs. 10 and 11 are modifications of the design shown in Figs. 1 and2 first herein described, showing alternate means for replacing thecentral common terminal contact bar used in Figs. 1 and 2, accomplishedby use of the spring terminals h attached directly to the base blockbeneath the arms aa and bb and depressed on the common terminal bar 20a.by the insulated arm members, as in Fig. 11, or by use of springterminals k attached to the respective arm insulator blocks 0 on thearms act and bb of the Fig. 10, said spring terminals forming their oncontact on closing. The operation is the same as in the former case.

The Fig. 12 illustrates a further modification of the same unit as shownin the Figs. 1 and 2, but using straight terminal arms 2d and 3d pivotedfrom the side, instead of the L-shaped arm shown in the former case. Thecommon terminal bar 20a being bent and formed to engage the same endterminal contact blocks in their new positions the same as in the Figs.1 and 2. The wiring and the operation is the same in all respects.

Having fully described my scale signal light device, what I claim as myinvention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A scale weighing signal device to be used in combination with amovable scale weighing member, comprising a base block of suitableinsulating material and having two oppositely positioned terminalcontact arms hingedly mounted thereon, each formed with a terminalextension arm projected from near the hinge section thereof, a terminalcontact block mounted on the outer end of each extension arm andinsulated therefrom, connecting terminal means mounted thereon capableof engaging electrically both of said contact blocks simultaneously,means mounted thereon for normally retaining both of said contact blocksand supporting extension arms closed on the connecting terminal bar whenotherwise disengaged, both of said contact blocks being connected in thesame electric signal circuit having electric signal devices mountedtherein operative electrically when both contact blocks are closed onthe connecting terminal bar, each of said terminal contact arms beingconnected electrically in separated electric signal circuits havingelectric signal devices mounted therein, a contact plate movably mountedand interposed between the outer ends of said contact arms andelectrically connected in both contact arm circuits, said contact platealso being connected mechanically with a movable scale weighing memberand actuated thereby in a manner capable of causing said plate to engageand displace either contact arm thereby opening the extension armcircuit and closing the circuit through the respective contact arms andtheir connected signal devices as the connected scale weighing member isoscillated.

2. A scale weighing signal device to be used with electric signaldevices mounted within electric signal circuits and with a connectedscale weighing movable member, comprising a base block of some suitableinsulating material and having two L-shaped terminal contact arms formedwith a pivot recess at the arm bends hingedly mounted thereon andpositioned with the two inner arm extensions adjacent each other andnear the base block face, each of said inner arm ends being providedwith a separate terminal contact block mounted thereon and insulatedtherefrom, a common terminal bar mounted on said base block beneath bothterminal contact blocks and positioned to engage therewithsimultaneously, spring means mounted thereon for retaining the terminalcontact arms and attached contact blocks closed on the common terminalbar when otherwise disengaged, a movably mounted contact memberinterposed between the outer ends of the contact arms, said contactmember being provided with a dash pot retarding unit and connectedmechanically to a movable scale weighing member capable of moving sameto engage and displace either of said contact arms with their respectiveconnected terminal blocks, means mounted on the base block forconnecting each of the contact arms electrically within separatedelectric signal circuits having electric signal devices mounted therein,means mounted thereon for connecting the movably mounted contact memberin both of the contact arm signal circuits, and means mounted thereonfor connecting both terminal contact blocks in a continuous electricsignal circuit through the connecting terminal bar, said circuit havingelectric signal devices mounted therein.

3. A scale weighing signal device to be used with electric signal unitsmounted within electric signal circuits and with a movable scaleweighing member, comprising a base block of insulating material havingtwo oppositely positioned terminal contact arms formed with a pivotrecess therethrough hingedly mounted on said base and positioned thereonwith their inner ends adjacent each other, a terminal contact membermounted thereon beneath each inner arm end and insulated therefrom, acommon terminal bar mounted on said base block positioned to engage bothterminal members simultaneously, means mounted thereon for retaining theterminal contact arms and corresponding terminal members closed on thecommon terminal bar when otherwise disengaged, a movably mounted contactmember interposed between the outer ends of said terminal contact armsand mechanically connected to a movable scale weighing member and in amanner capable of engaging and displacing either of the contact arms asthe scale weighing member is oscillated, means mounted on the base blockfor connecting each of the contact arms electrically within separatedelectric signal circuits having electric signal devices mounted therein,means mounted thereon for connecting the movably mounted contact mem herin both contact arm signal circuits, and means mounted thereon forconnecting both of the terminal contact members in a continuous signalcircuit through the common terminal bar and having electric signaldevices mounted therein.

4. An electric contactor unit for a scale weighing signal device to beused in combination with va'rieu'sflel-ectric signal-' un'itf ciifcuitsani a m'ovable scale weighingmemberg" comprisingca 'basc' block ofinsulrbifigimateriaiihavingxl two oppositelypbsiiaion'ed:21:erminalcontact?mms-fihingedly exteiision' i arm? projected from near the hinge sectioirthereof aiterminal-contctbl'ockmounted onztthe outer endfiofieach extension arm andinsulatedith'erefiom a! connecting; terminal barf niounted roh the baseblockhadjacenttthe"contact blocks; en'gaig e'abiei" with: both of: saidcontact blcck's si-multemeously; means mounted thereonfominerma'l-lyiretaining both' of said :contact exten'sidnrarmewithattached ccn'ta'cti-b'lccks closed" o'nzathe?ccnnectinge terminal bazwhen otherwise necting both of said contact bloclis'f ingth same;electric circuit,- operative when'- bothcofit'act blocks are cl'osectomthe tennina1- -"bar, means electrically connecting same inboth of thecon tact' arm? circuits, and means Y mounted on said contactplate formechanically-i1connecting sa' eto a, movable scale' weighing member.

CLINTON E. GRISTQ

